Effective PPMS: Implementing the Process for Success

ACA International’s 18 Elements of PPMS ACA’s Professional Practices Management System (PPMS) is a management system based upon 18 elements for developing, implementing and adhering to professional practices and policies. 1. Providing Leadership Element #1: Management Responsibility—Reviewing vision, mission goals and expectations to ensure leadership within the company. 2. Creating a System Element #2: Management System—Writing company policies, procedures and work instructions to create consistency and provide a baseline for improvement. 3. Defining the Clients’ Needs Element #3: Review of Client Issues—Determining the company’s ability to meet clients’ needs and expectations to ensure they will be met before a client places an account. 4. Controlling Internal Data Element #4: Document & Data Control—Maintaining both electronic and paper formats of policies, procedures, work instructions, etc. and keeping all information concise, up-to-date and accessible. 5. Purchasing Element #5: Purchasing—Managing the purchasing process of all products and services to ensure that vendors meet the needs of your company and your client. 

ACA International’s 18 Elements of PPMS 6. Controlling Client Data Element #6: Control of Client & Customer-Supplied Data—Securing and controlling all data flowing into the office to protect privacy and help prevent fraud. 7. Tracking Data Element #7: Data Identification & Traceability—Understanding company information and where it belongs to avoid errors. 8. Creating Consistent Performance Element #8: Process Control—Maintaining procedures or instructions for consistent performance to provide clients with evidence of and confidence in your performance. 9. Reviewing Processes Element #9: Inspection & Testing—Testing, reviewing and verifying planned work processes to ensure consistency and to correct or improve processes as necessary.

ACA International’s 18 Elements of PPMS 10. Reviewing Sequence of Processes Element #10: Inspection & Test Status—Verifying that company processes occur in sequence to ensure that cross-departmental processes work properly. 11. Identifying Mistakes and Problems Element #11: Identification of Nonconformity—Identifying and recording errors or problems to prevent further damage and improve service. 12. Continuously Improving Element #12: Corrective Action, Preventive Action & Continuous Improvement—Correcting and preventing problems by finding a better, faster or more reliable way to accomplish work. 13. Planning for Disaster Element #13: Handling, Storage, Preservation & Delivery—Disaster planning and delivery of information to protect client-provided data and integrity of service.

ACA International’s 18 Elements of PPMS 14. Managing Data Element #14: Management of Records/Data—Handling, storing, retrieving and depositing of information to ensure efficient access to necessary data and proper disposal of outdated data. 15. Reviewing Management Systems Element #15: Internal Management Audits—Ensuring procedures and policies are followed and the management system is working by having all departments inspected on a regular basis. 16. Training Element #16: Training—Continuously training all staff to ensure employees are qualified to do their jobs effectively and avoid mistakes that affect the company’s quality of service. 17. Measuring Results Element #17: Process & Client Satisfaction Measurements—Measuring results internally and externally to confirm that processes are performing well and to provide targets for improvement. 18. Information Management Systems & Technical Infrastructure Administration Element #18: Ensuring availability of systems; integrity of applications and data; and confidentiality of information.

PPMS- A Rewarding Experience (ABC Company) is proud to be PPMS certified since 20xx (insert year)!

What is PPMS Certification? Certification is the final step in the PPMS process that requires: Developing and documenting a PPMS Implementing the PPMS elements to create an efficient, streamlined process that is consistently maintained, resulting in high-level business practices to optimize the services offered to you Rigorous inspection by a local CPA firm

PPMS Maintenance Equals Success PPMS streamlines work loads PPMS makes job functions more rewarding PPMS helps to identify issues in order to create a beneficial solution PPMS improves internal communication Gaining positive participation is good; maintaining positive participation is KEY

Success Equals Growth All employees should: Be familiar with the 18 elements of PPMS Understand the goals of PPMS Alert supervisors of non-conformities in order to contribute to company and personal success and growth!